Becoming a first time mom can be overwhelming. It seems like everyday they’re coming out with a new must have baby item. It’s hard to keep up! Well I’m going to let you in on a little secret… babies don’t need much. They need a lot of love and attention to thrive of course but they don’t need all the gadgets and toys being marketed out there today. I’m going to share with you 5 Baby Registry Items ALL First Time Moms Should Get. Aside from the basics like bottles, pacifiers, swaddle blankets, and a stroller, these were essential to me the first time around. Let’s get into it.
1. VISA Gift Cards
Now, here me out. Sure it’s nice to get a specific store gift card to spend on baby items, but sometimes mom will want coffee. Or ice cream, or anything. So they should be able to go out and treat themselves when they need to catch a break. Motherhood is hard. It’s an important process and part of the self care us mamas can’t forget to do in the early days. Having gift cards ready always tends to motivate me to go out and spend, so do it to get some fresh air too mama! Or maybe you can ask for gift cards to places you enjoy like Starbucks or Amazon. Trust me, people will understand that mama needs some love post partum too!
2. Nursing Pillow
Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, this is a great product with multiple uses. I highly recommend the Boppy Nursing Pillow. My first pregnancy ended with a c section, so this pillow was a heaven sent, especially when it came to breastfeeding and just being more comfortable overall. It also is great to aid and prop baby up during tummy time, and can help when baby is learning to sit up! It definitely grows with baby which is also why it’s been an essential for me both times. Some other great options that are similar to the Boppy are the Bambini Nursing Pillow and Positioner, and also the Snuggle Me Organic Feeding + Support pillow. Whichever you feel is best for you and your family, you can’t go wrong!
3. Manual Hand Pump
This is a baby registry item all first time moms should get. Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, you will experience engorgement at some point! If you do choose to breastfeed, this is great to always have handy! Sometimes the electric pump isn’t always the quickest option, nor is it always readily available. In the early days of breastfeeding I would keep one in my bag so that if I ever needed to pump, lets say if my daughter was napping, I could do so easily and prevent engorgement. It’s also so much easier to keep around the house or to use on the breast not being fed from to collect milk. The first time around I used a regular hand help pump like this one and it was great! The second time around I decided to try the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump and also loved it! It allowed me to catch let downs and build a freezer stash in the early days until my supply regulated. So definitely make sure you add this to your registry!
4. Waterproof Pad
So for this one I don’t mean like a crib mattress protector, though you should have on of those too. I mean an actual waterproof pad that you can use in different areas. This waterproof pad is amazing and super affordable! It’s meant for the crib but can be placed anywhere: the floor, the couch, the bed, ect. Babies tend to spit up, or pee, or sometimes poop and things can get messy. This can be super inconvenient especially when it happens on your bed, which has happened to me too many times to count. It’s also great to use outside if you ever want to spend some time with baby outdoors. You can lay this down on the grass to keep baby safe and comfortable.
5. Baby Carrier
I’m pretty sure I mention this one in my 8 Items You’ll ACTUALLY Need As A First Time Mom post. That’s because carriers are always a must! Not only are there so many benefits to baby wearing for both mama and baby, but it also gives mom some freedom to use her hands. There are many different types of wraps like the fabric ones, the sling ones, and the buckle ones. I’ve personally only ever used the Moby Wrap, for when baby is tiny. It’s the most comfortable since it keeps baby nice and snug when on correctly. Once baby gets a little bigger, I like to switch to the Infantino Baby Carrier since it’s much easier to put on and off since it’s a buckle carrier. Both of them have been staples for both baby #1 and now baby #2.
There are a million other things you can register for. It’s also true that every baby has their preferences. These apply to things like bottles an pacifiers, sometimes even swings and bouncers. These 5 items though are staples and are baby registry items all first time moms should get! They’ll be used often and make the transition into motherhood a little easier. They are also like investment pieces because they will grow with baby and can be used again and again!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links in which A Conscious Mama may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.